Electric switch.



0. J. KLEIN. ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 1912- Patehted 001;. 20, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. J. KLEIN.

. ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED NOV; 21, 1912.

1,114,149, Patented 001;. 20, 1,914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. KLEIN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMER MFG. (30., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Patented Oct. 20, 191.4.

Application filed November 21, 1912. aerial No. 732,699.

T a? Z 207mm it may concern Be it known that I. CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States. residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification. A

My invention relates to electric switches. It has among its objects to provide an im proved snap switch mechanism.

A further object of my invention'is to provide an improved snap switch mechanism operated by a single push button and adapted upon successive operations of said push button, to make or break the circuit connections of a plurality of circuitsor branches of a single circuit with a quick snap'action.

Other objects and advantages of my in- 'vention will hereinafter appear. v

In order to clearly and fully disclose my --invention, I have illustrated one embodiment of the same inthe accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the switch with a )ortion of the frame broken away. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the '30 same as it is being operated. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the switch in its inclosing casing. Fig. 4 is a central sectional view of the switch shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the switch and casing with the bottom base removed. Fig. 6 shows a diagram of the circuit connections.

The switch shown herein includes a reciprocable push button operated member 1 carrying a rotatable block 2, adapted to be tripped by a spring-pressed lever 3 to r0- tate a plurality of contact members 4 and -5 to make or break the circuit at a plurality of points, the whole device being inclosed in an insulating base 6 and a casing 7 mounted upon an insulating base 8.

The operating member 1 is substantially- U-shaped and carries a push button 9 upon its upperend: The arms. of this member are journaled on a transversely extending 5O shaft 10 freely rotatable in vertically extending slots 11 in a substantially U-shaped frame 12. This frame is carried in a recess 13 in the block 6 and is secured to the bottom of the same by means of screws 14 pass ing through extensions in the opposite ends of theframe. Near the bottom of the frame the vertically extending tripping member 3 is pivoted upon a transversely extending spindle 15. This tripping member is pro vided with a struck-up portion 16 between its ends adapted to engage the edges of the rotating block 2. As illustrated, this block is in the form of an isosceles triangle, although it mayassume other forms. In order to give resiliency to the trippingmemher 3, a spring 17 is provided, one end of which presses a rearwardly extending lip 18 on the back of the trippingv member and normally tendst'o hold the latter in the vertical position shown in Fig. 1. This spring is Wound upon atransversely extending shaft 19 carried. in rearwardly projecting extensions 20 on the U-shaped frame 12. In order to return the parts to their normal position after each operation, a supplemental movable U-shape d frame 21 isprovided. This frame is pivoted upon the spindle 19 and actuated by the spring l'r. Its free ends are disposed beneath the lower ends of the member 1. As illustrated, the other end of the spring 17 tends to depress the outerend of this member and thus elevate its inner end.

The movable contacts for the switch il'16Cl'l{1 l1l.-I11 are fixed to the opposite ends of the shaft or spindle 10. Upon one end of this spindle I provide a contact 4 illus trated in perspective in Fig. 6. This contact is provided with a pair of contact surfaces 22 and 23 arranged in an arc and extending substantially at right angles to the body of the contact. Of these contacts the contact- 22 is preferably longer than the contact 23. Upon the opposite end of the shaft I provide the contact member 5. Thismemher likewise is provided with a plurality of contacts 24 and 25 arranged in an arca-nd extending substantially at right angles with respect to the body of the contact. In this instance both of the contacts maybe of the same length.

The stationary contacts adapted to be en-- gaged by these movable contacts are carried upon the insulating block 6. A pair of resilient- U-shaped contacts 26 and 27 are adapted to be engaged by the contacts 22 and 23. These resilient contacts are spaced apart from each other and secured tofthe base by means of suitable screws 28. These screws are connected to binding screws 29 and 30 upon the bottom of the base by U-shaped terminal plates 31. Upon the opposite side of the base a similar single con-- tact 32 is provided which is adapted to be engaged by the contacts 24: and '25. This contact is connected to a binding post 33 in the same manner as the contacts 26 and 27.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the switch mechanism adapted to control the circuit connections of a plurality of heating coils 34: and 35. A. line conductor 36 is tapped in between the two coils, while the ends of the two coils are each connected to the contacts 26 and 27 respectively. The other line conductor 37 is connected to the contact 32. Now assuming that the switch is in open circuit position as shown in Fig. 6, and that the mechanism for the same is in the position shown in Fig. 1; when it is desired to operate the switch the push button 9 is depressed. The downward movement of the member 1 causes the lower edge of the block 2 to engage the struck-out portion 16 on the tripping lever 3. This tripping lever is thrown'backward against the spring 17 to the position shown in Fig. 2, while the block 2 is rotated in a clockwise direction about its axis. As the block passes over a predetermined point it becomes disengaged from the struck-out portion of the tripping lever which is now free to move back to its normal .position under the influence of the spring. This spring has. energy stored in it during the depression of the member 1 by means of the pivoted frame 21 which, as the member 1 is depressed, is simultaneously moved downward to force one end of the sprlng upward and thus increase the power of the latter. When the block passes over the position shown in Fig. 2. the spring therefore is not only supplied withsuflicient energy to throw back-the tripping member 3 to its vertical position, but also acts to throw up the pivoted frame 21 to return the member 1 to its initial position. Since the movable contacts are movable -with the shaft 10 and the block 2, the movement of the latter in a clockwise direction will cause the movable contacts to move in a clockwise direction. It is obvious that the contact surfaces of the movable contact 5 will successively engage the contact 32 while the contact surfaces of the contact 4 will successively engage the contacts 26 and 27. It is here to be noted that the two sets of contact surfaces on each contact are arranged in the sameplane so that the contact 22 will engage the contacts 1 26 and 27 simultaneously with the engagement of the contact 32-by the movable contact 34: and the contact 23 will engage the contact 27 simultaneously with the engagement of the contact 32 by the opposite movable contact 25. Assuming that the contacts 23 and 25 are in engagement with the contacts 27 and 32, the circuit then established extends from the line 37 through these contacts andthe heating coil 35 back to the opposite side of the line. Upon the next depression of the push button the contacts are again rotated in a clockwise direction so that the contacts 22 and 2-1; respectively engage the contacts 26, 27 and 32. In this position tln circuit extends from the line 37 through the several contacts and the two heating coils 34 and 35 in parallel, thus giving a maximum heat. Obviously, when it is desired to entirely disconnect the coils from circuit, it is only necessary to again depress the push button. whereupon the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 6.

In order that the condition of the switch may be rendered visible at a glance, I have provided a rotary disk 38 which is fixed to the spindle l0 and rotates therewith. Upon the periphery of this disk are placed indicia which indicate the position of the switch. For instance, the numerals O, 1 and 2 may be placed upon the periphery of the same to indicate that the circuit of the switch circuit, as desired. This disk is of such a size that it extends up toward the top of the-recess 13 and provisions hereinafter described are made to render it visible from the exterior of the casing 7. 'The' insulating block 6 in which the switch mechanism is mounted, .is preferably secured to the base 8 by means of suitable screws 39 having their heads received in recesses in the base'and their inner threaded ends received in suitable nuts seated in the block. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper face of the base 8 is preferably recessed beneath the switch mechanism as at 4:0, and the switch mechanism is insulated from the base by means of a strip of insulation 41 having cars 12 extending into slots 43 in the bottom of the frame 12. In order to facilitate access to the binding posts upon the bottom of the block 6, recesses M are provided in the latshown in Fig. 3.

As shown-in Figs. 3 and 4, the block 6 is preferably inclosed in a substantially cup shaped metallic casing 7 and is insulated therefrom by means of an insulating disk 46 held upon the top of the block by means of the screws 14. If desired, suitable screws 47 may be provided for holding the casing 7 in position upon the block. Both the casing 7 and the insulating disk 46 are provided with an opening throughwhich the push button extends and are likewise provided with an opening or peep-hole i8 through which the indicating disk 42 is visible.-

In my improved construction I have provided a commutating switch of the push button type whereupon by successive operations ofthe push button, the contact members are successively moved to a plurality of positions in which they may connect one oi more 10 translating devices in circuit. In the specific adaptation disclosed herein, I am able to control the heat of an electric heating device in such a manner as to provide apluralityof heats. 5 The switch mechanism acts with a quick 'snap action to make or break the circuits as desired; Further, the operating parts on the switch mechanism are returned to their Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric switch, a bodily movable spindle, a rotatable block carried thereon, a contact member movable with. said block, means for tripping said block, a returning lever for said spindle, and a common means for returning said lever and tripping means 40 to their initial positions after said block is tripped.

- 2. In an electric switch, a bodily movable spindle, a block carried thereon, a contact membermovable therewith, a pivoted memher having astruclrout-portion adapted to.

engage said block upon movement of said spindle, and a single spring for returning said block to its operable position and hold-- ing said tripping means under pressure.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a movable spindle, a. push button for actuating said spindle, a block carried on said spindle, a contact member movable with said block, means for rotating said block, areturning member for said spindle, and a single means normally holding said'rotating means under ressure and operated upon actuation of said push button to actuate said returning member.

0 a. In an electric contact member movable-therewith, a'tripping member therefor pivoted beneath said block having a struck-up portion adapted to engage said block, a member underlying said switch, a bodily movable spindle, a rotatable block carried thereorna spindle and a spring holding said pivoted member underpressure and actuating said carried upon said spindle, a contact movable with said block, a pivoted tripping member for said block, a pivoted frame extending beneath said spindle and means engaging said frame and tripping member for holding said tripping member'in the pathv of said block and returning said spindle toits operable position after each rotary movement of the block.

6. In an electric switch, an operating member havinga push-button, a spindle j ournaled in saidoperating member and reciprocable therewith, aframe having a slot in which said spindle moves, a block carried on said spindle, a contact member movable with said block, a tripping lever forsaid block pivoted in said frame, a returning lever for said splndle pivoted in said frame and normally tending to hold said spindle in elevated position, and resilient connec- .tlons between said tripping member and said returning member.

7. In an electric switch, the combination of a frame having slots in its sides, a spindle movable in said slots, an operating member for said spindle, a block carried on said sp1ndle,a'contact member movable with said to said-frame, a member for returning said spindle to its initial position, and a spring normally holding said tripping member in the path of said block and upon' the reciproposition upon the completion of reciprocation in one direction' 9. In an eleetriceswitch, the combination of a frame of substantially U-shapedcross section having slots in its sides, a spindle movable in said slots, a block movable with said. spindle, a contact member movable with said block, a tripping lever pivoted insaid block, means for tripping said block-pivoted frame beneath said block, a member extending beneath s'aid spindle and pivoted at the back of said frame having one end of the .1;

- common means to bia's saidtripping member same in continual engagement with said' spindle, and a single spring in which energy is stored during the movement of said spindle in one direction for forcing said member upward to return said spindle to its normal position upon the completion of the rotation of said block.

10. In combination, a bodily movable spindle, means for rotating said spindle, means for reciprocating said spindle, a contact member rotatable With said spindle, an indicating disk rotatable with said spindle, a base upon which said mechanism is mounted, terminal contacts for a plurality of circuits carried upon said base and engaged by said contact member, a casing inclosing said base, and means rendering said disk visible from the exterior of said casing to indicate theposition of said contact member.

11. In an electric switch, in combination, a' contact actuating member reciprocable and rotatable in a single plane, means to reciprocate the same, means to simultaneously rotate thesame, and common means to restore said reciprocating and rotating means to operative position after actuation thereof.

12. Inan electric switch,-in, combination, a reciprocable operating member, a recipro cable and rotatable contact actuating member, a tripping member for the latter, and

' toward saidcontact actuating member and to return the latter to .normal position after each actuation of said operating member.

13. In an electricswitch, in combination, a reciprocable operating member, a rotatable contact actuating member, a plurality of contacts concentrically disposedabout said rotatable member, and apluralityof stationary contacts arranged to be engaged in a plurality of relations by'said first-mentioned contact-s upon successive operations of said contact actuating member.

14. In an electric switch, in combination, an operating member,'a reciprocableand rotatable contact actuating member, a plurality ot concentrically arranged contacts carried by said rotatable member in parallel planes, a plurality of stationary contacts arranged to be engaged by said first-mentioned contacts in a plurality of relations, and operative connecting means between said operating member and said rotatable member.

15. In an electric switch, in combination,

an operating member, a rotatable contact actuating member, a plurality of contacts of equal length concentrically disposed about said rotatable member,-a plurality of contacts of unequal length concentrically disposed in another plane about said rotatable member, a stationary contact to be engaged by said first-mentioned contacts, a plurality of stationary contacts arranged to be engaged in a plurality of relations by said second-mentioned contacts, and operative connecting means between said operating member and said rotatable member.

16. In an electric switch, in combination, an operating member, a rotatable contact actuating member ,extending on opposite sides of said operating member, a plurality of contacts concentrically arranged at one end of said rotatable member, a plurality of contacts concentrically arranged at the other "end of said member, a plurality of stationary contacts arranged to be engaged in a plurality of relations by the movable contacts upon successive operations of said rotatable member, and operative connecting means between said operating member and CHARLES J. KLEIN. 

